After the announcement of the forthcoming withdrawal of French and European forces from Mali, Niger is preparing to become a nerve center in the future system of the fight against terrorism in the Sahel.
With our correspondent in Niamey, Moussa Kaka
By becoming the geographical center of the operation to combat terrorism, Niger thus becomes the centerpiece of the new deployment of Franco-European forces in the Sahel. Seen from Niamey, this withdrawal from Mali is variously appreciated. If the political parties of the presidential movement support the security policy of the government, it is not the same for certain opposition parties.
In the ranks of civil society, we welcome this withdrawal. For several months, civil society in Niger has made the departure of foreign forces its main concern. But the fact that Niger will soon become the fulcrum of Franco-European forces is a problem for civil society actor Moussa Tchangari. He considers it to be “ a mistake by President Macron, who wants to stay in the region “. ” By remaining militarily in the Sahel, he adds, France risks putting the allied governments in difficulty. »
This French military presence we have already strongly criticized, we consider that it is not very useful. We even think that it is a presence which in the long term will constitute a threat to the sovereignty of the country.
Moussa Tchangari, activist and general secretary of the Alternative Espaces Citoyens association in Niger
” It is a very good thing », Analyzes for its part a security source. This knowledgeable observer considers that “ as long as these forces are willing to respond by air to requests from Niger attacked by jihadists, their resettlement in Niger will not cause any problems. »
As a reminder, American special forces and their armed Reaper drones have been based in Agadez for years. In Niger’s Azawak, north of Tahoua, German special forces continue to train Niger soldiers.